Al Mustapha food store fined after mouse droppings find

THE OWNER of a Middlesbrough food shop has been fined £6,000 after environmental health officers discovered a serious mouse infestation and foods contaminated with droppings during a hygiene inspection.

THE OWNER of a Middlesbrough food shop has been fined £6,000 after environmental health officers discovered a serious mouse infestation and foods contaminated with droppings during a hygiene inspection.

The infestation was found by the officer from Middlesbrough Council’s community protection service at the Al Mustapha food store in Parliament Road, Middlesbrough, pictured, on June 23 this year.

Environmental health officer Russell Butchers said: “We found four dead mice in the store, mouse droppings on food shelves and in packets of food and mice living in a bucket in a cupboard next to the raw meat counter.

“The conditions were so serious that the closure of the business was ordered.”

Principal environmental health officer Wayne Flowers said: “The owner knew there was a problem with mice but he had failed to realise the severity of the infestation.

“He appeared shocked when live mice were found in the butchery part of his store.

“Whenever pests, such as mice, are found in a food business it has the potential to cause a serious health risk.”

The business remained closed for a week and was only allowed to re-open after environmental health officers were satisfied the pest infestation had been removed and there was no longer a public health risk.

Owner Asos Gafur was charged with failing to manage risks to food safety, failing to keep his store clean, failing to prevent a mouse infestation and offering unsafe food for sale.

He pleaded guilty at Teesside Magistrates Court to all charges and was fined £6,000 plus costs of £479 and a £15 victim surcharge.

Barry Coppinger, Executive councillor for community protection, said: “Selling unsafe food and running an unhygienic food business is simply unacceptable.”